In September 2010, Argentina passed a law banning mining on glaciers and the area around them on the 3100 mile border with Chile. Mining companies sued to overturn the law, but Argentina’s supreme court said the law remains in place.
A massive gold and silver deposit lies along the border of Argentina and Chile. Mining companies, such as Canada’s Barrick Gold, want to extract that gold.
The glaciers in the Andes are used for drinking water and for agricultural use. Mining operations could jeopardize the purity of the water.
Mount Fitz Roy and Laguna Torre, Los Glaciares National Park, Patagonia, Argentina photo via Shutterstock
You must be logged in to post a comment.